Involuntary Treatment in Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious and often chronic mental illness that significantly impairs the quality of life of those affected. Among other symptoms, the core symptomatology of this disorder includes the fear of weight gain. Depending on the degree of underweight, the reduced general condition in combination with pneumonia, electrolyte imbalances, cardiac arrhythmias, blood formation disorders, gastrointestinal bleeding, and hepatic or renal dysfunction can lead to serious, and possibly life-threatening complications. Involuntary treatment against the will of the patients may be medically and ethically justified in cases of severe underweight and poor general condition if the patients are unable to adequately care for themselves due to their illness and are no longer capable of giving consent.